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Bjelica V, Golubović A. Synergistic effects of musking and autohaemorrhaging on the duration of death feigning in dice snakes ( Natrix tessellata). Biol Lett 2024; 20:20240058. [PMID: 38715463 PMCID: PMC11135363 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2024.0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Predation exerts a significant selection pressure on prey, shaping a multitude of traits that serve as antipredator defences. In turn, natural selection could favour combinations of antipredator defences with synergistic effects that enhance prey survival. An especially interesting antipredator defence is death feigning (DF), present in a wide variety of taxa and usually characterized by the prey lying motionless often along with defaecation, musking and autohaemorrhaging (AH). All these aspects of the DF display should work in conjunction with one another, intensifying the overall effect of the display and in turn facilitating quicker escape. To confirm this hypothesis, we tested 263 dice snakes (Natrix tessellata) directly in the field. We noted the occurrence of smearing faeces, musk and AH, and we measured the duration of DF, expecting to see a negative association between the occurrence of these behaviours and the duration of DF. Our results affirm our hypothesis: dice snakes that smeared themselves in musk and faeces prior to DF and had AH during DF spent significantly less time in DF. Our results highlight the functional integration of antipredator behaviours across different phases of predator-prey interactions, emphasizing the need for future research to prioritize studying the sequential display of behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vukašin Bjelica
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Belgrade, , Belgrade, 11000 , Serbia
| | - Ana Golubović
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Belgrade, , Belgrade, 11000 , Serbia
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2
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Mohammadi S, Yang L, Bulbert M, Rowland HM. Defence mitigation by predators of chemically defended prey integrated over the predation sequence and across biological levels with a focus on cardiotonic steroids. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:220363. [PMID: 36133149 PMCID: PMC9449480 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Predator-prey interactions have long served as models for the investigation of adaptation and fitness in natural environments. Anti-predator defences such as mimicry and camouflage provide some of the best examples of evolution. Predators, in turn, have evolved sensory systems, cognitive abilities and physiological resistance to prey defences. In contrast to prey defences which have been reviewed extensively, the evolution of predator counter-strategies has received less attention. To gain a comprehensive view of how prey defences can influence the evolution of predator counter-strategies, it is essential to investigate how and when selection can operate. In this review we evaluate how predators overcome prey defences during (i) encounter, (ii) detection, (iii) identification, (iv) approach, (v) subjugation, and (vi) consumption. We focus on prey that are protected by cardiotonic steroids (CTS)-defensive compounds that are found in a wide range of taxa, and that have a specific physiological target. In this system, coevolution is well characterized between specialist insect herbivores and their host plants but evidence for coevolution between CTS-defended prey and their predators has received less attention. Using the predation sequence framework, we organize 574 studies reporting predators overcoming CTS defences, integrate these counter-strategies across biological levels of organization, and discuss the costs and benefits of attacking CTS-defended prey. We show that distinct lineages of predators have evolved dissecting behaviour, changes in perception of risk and of taste perception, and target-site insensitivity. We draw attention to biochemical, hormonal and microbiological strategies that have yet to be investigated as predator counter-adaptations to CTS defences. We show that the predation sequence framework will be useful for organizing future studies of chemically mediated systems and coevolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnam Mohammadi
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
- Institut für Zell- und Systembiologie der Tiere, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Lu Yang
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Matthew Bulbert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Oxford Brookes, Oxford, UK
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
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3
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Mohammadi S, Yang L, Bulbert M, Rowland HM. Defence mitigation by predators of chemically defended prey integrated over the predation sequence and across biological levels with a focus on cardiotonic steroids. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:220363. [PMID: 36133149 DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6168216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Predator-prey interactions have long served as models for the investigation of adaptation and fitness in natural environments. Anti-predator defences such as mimicry and camouflage provide some of the best examples of evolution. Predators, in turn, have evolved sensory systems, cognitive abilities and physiological resistance to prey defences. In contrast to prey defences which have been reviewed extensively, the evolution of predator counter-strategies has received less attention. To gain a comprehensive view of how prey defences can influence the evolution of predator counter-strategies, it is essential to investigate how and when selection can operate. In this review we evaluate how predators overcome prey defences during (i) encounter, (ii) detection, (iii) identification, (iv) approach, (v) subjugation, and (vi) consumption. We focus on prey that are protected by cardiotonic steroids (CTS)-defensive compounds that are found in a wide range of taxa, and that have a specific physiological target. In this system, coevolution is well characterized between specialist insect herbivores and their host plants but evidence for coevolution between CTS-defended prey and their predators has received less attention. Using the predation sequence framework, we organize 574 studies reporting predators overcoming CTS defences, integrate these counter-strategies across biological levels of organization, and discuss the costs and benefits of attacking CTS-defended prey. We show that distinct lineages of predators have evolved dissecting behaviour, changes in perception of risk and of taste perception, and target-site insensitivity. We draw attention to biochemical, hormonal and microbiological strategies that have yet to be investigated as predator counter-adaptations to CTS defences. We show that the predation sequence framework will be useful for organizing future studies of chemically mediated systems and coevolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnam Mohammadi
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA
- Institut für Zell- und Systembiologie der Tiere, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Lu Yang
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Matthew Bulbert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Oxford Brookes, Oxford, UK
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
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4
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Durso AM, Kieran TJ, Glenn TC, Mullin SJ. Comparison of Three Methods for Measuring Dietary Composition of Plains Hog-nosed Snakes. HERPETOLOGICA 2022. [DOI: 10.1655/herpetologica-d-21-00023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M. Durso
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL 61920, USA
| | - Troy J. Kieran
- Department of Environmental Health Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Travis C. Glenn
- Department of Environmental Health Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Stephen J. Mullin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL 61920, USA
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Piao Y, Yao G, Jiang H, Huang S, Huang F, Tang Y, Liu Y, Chen Q. Do pit vipers assess their venom? Defensive tactics of Deinagkistrodon acutus shift with changed venom reserve. Toxicon 2021; 199:101-108. [PMID: 34107276 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2021.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
To maximize survival probability, animals must assess predation risks and adopt flexible defensive strategies based on specific conditions. Pit vipers utilize venom for predation and self-defense, and venom status significantly influences its effectiveness. Thus, pit vipers may evaluate their venom reserve and adopt corresponding defensive tactics. Twenty-three sharp-snouted pit vipers (Deinagkistrodon acutus) were grouped by different venom status and were subjected to eight behavior trials. Subjects' defensive behaviors were recorded and analyzed. Results showed that the normal venom group displayed stable responses across the trials. The low venom group showed fewer strikes and more fleeing behaviors at the end of experiments. After given prolonged intervals for replenishing the venom, significant increases of strike behaviors were observed in the replenishing venom group. These results demonstrated the capability of adopting flexible defensive tactics based on varied venom reserve and provided new evidence for venom-status-recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yige Piao
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
| | - Ge Yao
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, 102205, China.
| | - Hui Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, 102205, China.
| | - Song Huang
- Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, Anhui, China; Huangshan Noah Biodiversity Institute, Huangshan, 245000, Anhui, China.
| | - Feng Huang
- Huangshan Institute of Snake, Huangshan, 245000, Anhui, China.
| | - Yezhong Tang
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
| | - Yang Liu
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
| | - Qin Chen
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
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6
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Evolutionary shifts in anti-predator responses of invasive cane toads (Rhinella marina). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-017-2367-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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7
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Durso AM, Mullin SJ. Ontogenetic shifts in the diet of plains hog-nosed snakes (Heterodon nasicus) revealed by stable isotope analysis. ZOOLOGY 2016; 120:83-91. [PMID: 27692795 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2016.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Revised: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Wild snake diets are difficult to study using traditional methods, but stable isotopes offer several advantages, including integrating dietary information over time, providing data from individuals that have not fed recently, and avoiding bias towards slowly-digesting prey items. We used stable isotope signatures of carbon and nitrogen from scale tissue, red blood cells, and blood plasma to assess the diet of wild plains hog-nosed snakes (Heterodon nasicus) in Illinois. We developed Bayesian mixing models which, taken together, predicted that H. nasicus shifted from a juvenile diet predominantly (31-63%) composed of six-lined racerunners (Aspidoscelis sexlineatus) and their eggs to an adult diet predominantly (44-56%) composed of eggs of the aquatic turtles Chrysemys picta and Chelydra serpentina, with a contribution from toads (Anaxyrus sp.; 6-27%) during their adolescent years. These results agreed with sparse data from gut contents. Combining traditional and isotopic techniques for studying the diets of wild snakes can increase the utility of both types of data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Durso
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL 61920, USA.
| | - Stephen J Mullin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL 61920, USA
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de Barros FC, de Carvalho JE, Abe AS, Kohlsdorf T. Beyond body size: muscle biochemistry and body shape explain ontogenetic variation of anti-predatory behaviour in the lizard Salvator merianae. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 219:1649-58. [PMID: 26994181 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.130740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Anti-predatory behaviour evolves under the strong action of natural selection because the success of individuals avoiding predation essentially defines their fitness. Choice of anti-predatory strategies is defined by prey characteristics as well as environmental temperature. An additional dimension often relegated in this multilevel equation is the ontogenetic component. In the tegu Salvator merianae, adults run away from predators at high temperatures but prefer fighting when it is cold, whereas juveniles exhibit the same flight strategy within a wide thermal range. Here, we integrate physiology and morphology to understand ontogenetic variation in the temperature-dependent shift of anti-predatory behaviour in these lizards. We compiled data for body shape and size, and quantified enzyme activity in hindlimb and head muscles, testing the hypothesis that morphophysiological models explain ontogenetic variation in behavioural associations. Our prediction is that juveniles exhibit body shape and muscle biochemistry that enhance flight strategies. We identified biochemical differences between muscles mainly in the LDH:CS ratio, whereby hindlimb muscles were more glycolytic than the jaw musculature. Juveniles, which often use evasive strategies to avoid predation, have more glycolytic hindlimb muscles and are much smaller when compared with adults 1-2 years old. Ontogenetic differences in body shape were identified but marginally contributed to behavioural variation between juvenile and adult tegus, and variation in anti-predatory behaviour in these lizards resides mainly in associations between body size and muscle biochemistry. Our results are discussed in the ecological context of predator avoidance by individuals differing in body size living at temperature-variable environments, where restrictions imposed by the cold could be compensated by specific phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fábio Cury de Barros
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-901, Brazil
| | - José Eduardo de Carvalho
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - campus Diadema, Diadema, SP 09972-270, Brazil
| | - Augusto Shinya Abe
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista - campus Rio Claro, Rio Claro, SP 13506-900, Brazil
| | - Tiana Kohlsdorf
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-901, Brazil
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9
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Body size, not maladaptive gene flow, explains death-feigning behaviour in Timema cristinae stick insects. Evol Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-016-9832-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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10
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Feldman CR, Durso AM, Hanifin CT, Pfrender ME, Ducey PK, Stokes AN, Barnett KE, Brodie III ED, Brodie Jr ED. Is there more than one way to skin a newt? Convergent toxin resistance in snakes is not due to a common genetic mechanism. Heredity (Edinb) 2016; 116:84-91. [PMID: 26374236 PMCID: PMC4675877 DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2015.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2015] [Revised: 06/07/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Convergent evolution of tetrodotoxin (TTX) resistance, at both the phenotypic and genetic levels, characterizes coevolutionary arms races between amphibians and their snake predators around the world, and reveals remarkable predictability in the process of adaptation. Here we examine the repeatability of the evolution of TTX resistance in an undescribed predator-prey relationship between TTX-bearing Eastern Newts (Notophthalmus viridescens) and Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes (Heterodon platirhinos). We found that that local newts contain levels of TTX dangerous enough to dissuade most predators, and that Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes within newt range are highly resistant to TTX. In fact, these populations of Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes are so resistant to TTX that the potential for current reciprocal selection might be limited. Unlike all other cases of TTX resistance in vertebrates, H. platirhinos lacks the adaptive amino acid substitutions in the skeletal muscle sodium channel that reduce TTX binding, suggesting that physiological resistance in Eastern Hog-nosed Snakes is conferred by an alternate genetic mechanism. Thus, phenotypic convergence in this case is not due to parallel molecular evolution, indicating that there may be more than one way for this adaptation to arise, even among closely related species.
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Affiliation(s)
- C R Feldman
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV, USA
| | - A M Durso
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - C T Hanifin
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Uintah Basin, Vernal, UT, USA
| | - M E Pfrender
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - P K Ducey
- Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York–Cortland, Cortland, NY, USA
| | - A N Stokes
- Department of Biology, California State University Bakersfield, Bakersfield, CA, USA
| | - K E Barnett
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany, NY, USA
| | - E D Brodie III
- Mountain Lake Biological Station and Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - E D Brodie Jr
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
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Maillet Z, Halliday WD, Blouin-Demers G. Exploratory and defensive behaviours change with sex and body size in eastern garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis). J ETHOL 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10164-014-0416-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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